Buffalo Bills won't lift TV blackouts, despite easing of rules

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills will continue to keep games that don’t completely sell out from the local airwaves, even though the National Football League says they no longer have to.

Chief Executive Russ Brandon tells The Buffalo News (http://bit.ly/PRppsf ) the team would lose too much revenue and have to raise ticket prices. Teams that choose to lift the blackouts have to pay a higher share of gate receipts into a league-wide revenue pool.

The team also worries fewer fans would buy tickets and just stay home.

The NFL recently eased its TV blackout rules, allowing local telecasts if at least 85 percent of seats are sold.

Congressman Brian Higgins of Buffalo had lobbied for the change and called the Bills’ decision disappointing.